Dr. Minnette Francis - Alzheimer’s disease (AD),

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is not a normal development in the aging process.  Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a gradual loss of memory, disrupted emotions and inhibitions, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impaired judgment and ability to plan, and personality changes.  Over time, these changes become so severe that they interfere with an individual’s daily functioning, resulting eventually in death.  While the disease can last from 3 to 20 years after the onset of symptoms, the average duration is 8 years.
Alzheimer’s disease affects as many as 4 million Americans.  Most people diagnosed with AD are older than 65.  However, it is possible for the disease to occur in people in their 40s and 50s.  Recent research has shown links between some genes and AD, but in about 90 percent of cases, there is no clear genetic link.  Early and careful evaluation by a medical professional is important because many conditions, including some that are treatable or reversible, may cause dementia-like symptoms.  Examples of such treatable medical conditions are depression, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic changes, such as diabetes.
Although there is no cure for AD and no proven treatment to slow its progression, there are several medications that may help improve the patient’s mental function, and other symptoms of this disease, mostly behavioral problems like aggression and agitation.
Proper nutrition, daily exercise, social interaction and a stable, calm structured environment can help an Alzheimer’s patient continue to function as long as possible.